VOLUME 131 JUMP NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER-DECEMBER, 2010 for three Grammys and in 2008 we won the Los Angles ’s Military Band and was a leader of the Inland Empire award for best . ‘ghost’ band.

BBJ: How did the Glenn Miller leadership come Demonstrating his friendship and involvement with about? Tex Beneke, Gary Tole raised money to place a Tex Beneke star on the Hollywood Walk o f Fame shortly GT: I was referred to them by a booking agency I ’ d before Tex died. previously worked with, and several other booking agencies recommended me and a couple of Next issue, the Tole family “ghost band dynasty” days later I got a phone call from Dave McKay, Jr. who continues to be explored in an interview with Gary's is the operator of Glenn Miller Productions. He said, sister, Nancy Knorr, who is lead singer and owner of “Larry O’Brien is leaving in December and would you the current Pied Pipers group. be interested?” Once the goose bumps settled, it took a couple of days to digest everything that had been LETTERS TO THE EDITOR discussed. I got more excited the more I thought about it and they flew me to New York for a meeting. I came Letters to BIG BAND JUMP or the BBJ NEWSLET­ back home and started working out a three year con­ TER may be sent to the address below or e-mailed to tract. [email protected]. When you e-mail, please give your name and address. All letters are an­ BBJ: How will you present the Miller standards? swered, but the volume of mail sometimes delays a timely response. GT: They are what made the band what the band is. I need to research my flexibility and see what BBJ NEWSLETTER I can and can’t do. Personally, I’ve been playing IN Box 52252 THE MOOD for a lot of years, and it can still be played Atlanta, GA 30355 with a lot of energy and excitement as it was first recorded. I’m an advocate of that to begin with. With one of my bands if we play LITTLE BROWN JUG or The published letters have been edited for space STRING OF PEARLS or . I tell my considerations, but the meaning has been preserved. guys, “Play it like it’s the first time you’ve ever seen G. Alan Sternbergh Wow! Winning the BBJ it.” You’ve got to sell the song. My goal is to go out Chambersburg, PA trivia contest was awesome. there and give the audience what it wants. The questions made you re­ ally think carefully BBJ: Do you anticipate being with the band beyond about the answers the contract term? Especially thought provoking were GT: I’m not looking at a short term by any means. questions number If all things work out and they like me and I like five and eight. I them and the band can stay busy who knows how long was able to nail the this could turn into. (Gary Tole paused here, then others right on. added a footnote.) One of the bands I played with when I was in Pittsburgh at fifteen years old was Tex Beneke Recently the Jim­ with “Music in the Miller Mood.” I worked with Tex my Dorsey Orches­ Beneke all the up until Tex’s passing. I had a great tra was in town at relationship with Tex and talked with him about his our Capitol The­ experiences with Glenn Miller’s Band and all those ater. Bill Tole led great stories. After working with Tex Beneke I did a it. He’s an excel­ The ‘40s David Rose (see letter) lot of work with Ray McKinley, who also played with lent trombonist. In

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